7 Helpful Tricks To Making The Most Out Of Your Double Strollers
Buying Guide For Double Strollers
A double stroller is a great investment if you have two children with similar ages. These narrow tandem buggies as well as flexible side by side buggies allow you to keep both children in sight when you are navigating the aisles of your grocery store and parks, as well as whatever else life throws at you.
Comfort
Comfort is an important factor to take into consideration when buying a double-stroller. This includes both the seating arrangement and the overall size of the stroller which can impact the accessibility and storage. "Parents should determine how much the stroller weighs and its dimensions folded," says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. "They should also think about the seat recline options and the age ranges of their children to ensure that it's a perfect fit."
A quality double stroller should be able to handle a variety of surfaces with ease, from suburban sidewalks to park paths, and from toddler booster seats to infant car seats. It should come with a variety of seating options for children of different ages, as well as comfort features such as a peek-a-boo window and adjustable canopies that shield kids from rain or sun.
The seating options are important to many families who use a double stroller from the time of birth until childhood. Billingsley explains that there are two major categories of in-line seating, with one seat in-front of the other and side-byside seating with seats next to one another. Some parents prefer the inline option because of its sleek appearance and flexibility. Others prefer a wagon style double stroller for maximum space for groceries or bulky items.
Although some models may have different recline options - with one seat almost flat while the other remains relatively upright--this type of disparity is more prevalent in models that are in-line. Billingsley suggests choosing a model that offers both a near-flat recline and leg rest adjustment for both seats, so that the children can both lie back comfortably.
She also suggests parents search for strollers with storage compartments so that they can quickly access snacks, personal items, and toys while moving about. She adds that it's also useful to find the stroller that has an organizer or parent console bag that can be attached to the handlebars. This will allow you to keep your essentials within reach.
Some of the top-rated double strollers are expandable that allows parents to modify the set-up based on the needs of their growing family. The Mockingbird Expandable, for example, is a highly rated double stroller which can be used from birth with a single seat, then transformed into a tandem (with two seats and a bassinet) when the child is older.
Safety
Double strollers need to be able to carry the weight of both the passengers as well as any additional cargo. Strollers must be easy to maneuver and push, especially on rough terrain or in tight spaces. The best strollers come with ergonomic handlebars that can be adjusted in height, making it easier for parents to maintain their form when pushing them. A harness that is not rethread that makes the adjustment of seat belts more quickly and easily, is another nice feature to look for. A sturdy brake system and wheels that can glide over any surface are important safety features.
Some parents opt for a side by side design to ensure that both children meet up on family outings. This arrangement can prevent siblings fighting over who is allowed to sit in which spot, but it's not foolproof. If the seats are at different levels, a child might kick or punch another while walking if the seats are at different levels.
A tandem stroller is a great option for parents with twins or siblings who are similar in age. It allows them to see both children at once. However, these can be more spacious than other double strollers, meaning they may not be able to be able to pass through all doors in your home. For maximum versatility, consider a single-to-double stroller that transitions from a single to a tandem in various ways, such as the popular CYBEX Gazelle S. These models can accommodate a wide variety of configurations and let you click in infant car seats or cot attachments depending on your requirements.
If you're in the market for a tandem or side-by-side stroller, ensure that the stroller has been JPMA certified to meet strict safety standards. Pay attention to the weight limit that applies to each seat. Exceeding these limits could cause frame fatigue and other issues.
It's easy to get caught in the jingles and whistles, but it's important to remember that strollers are essentially baby carriers that will be used for a long period of times. It should be comfortable for both parents and children, easy to clean and maintain, and in the ideal case it should feature an intuitive, familiar design so that the person pushing it is able to easily maneuver it without having to think twice about how to move forward or turn left or right, or apply the brakes.
Ease of Use
For families on the go, a double stroller should be easy to maneuver over a variety of terrains. Features like adjustable canopy systems with windows that peek out and reliable braking systems are critical to help ensure your children's safety, however, there are other elements that contribute to stroller ease of use. A stroller should be compact enough to fit into the trunk of your vehicle and still provide plenty of storage space for groceries or other items. It's also important to include thoughtful touches, such as cups holder for one parent, consoles for parents and an eating tray. These will make traveling with two children much easier.
In our tests We evaluated the strollers on how it did on a variety of terrains and how easily it could maneuver in tight spaces. We also looked at how easy it was to fold the stroller in half and then unfold it in a timely manner, and if a specific feature made a difference to the overall performance. For instance a stroller with no-rethread harnesses makes adjusting the seat belts easy and quick. This can be a huge benefit for parents who are on the move because it cuts down on time and removes the need to re-thread the harness.
double pushchair scored highly in this test because it came with a variety of seating configurations and additional accessories to accommodate families that are growing. The double-stroller in the wagon style can be expanded to accommodate an additional seat, a bassinet, or even a toddler-riding board. This is ideal for families who want to spend long hours in the car with a variety of children of different ages. It easily glides over pavements, cobblestones, and ballfields. It can be folded flat to be stored in a trunk or a closet. The design of this stroller is simple and easy to use and was a big hit with our tester Kerry. The clever packaging with clearly marked sections as well as a user guide made it easy to put together this stroller.
sit and stand double stroller has the potential to hold twice as much than a single stroller, so look for ample storage space. It is ideal to have a stroller that is able to hold the necessities for both kids, including nappies, bottles, snacks and toys, along with parents' items such as phones, wallets keys, wallets and phones. Look for under-seat baskets and other pockets, and think about a stroller that has an expandable cargo space that can carry heavy items such as lunch bags and diaper bags.
A quality double stroller will be able to adapt to the needs of your family. Billingsley states that certain models have the option of a bassinet attachment that can accommodate newborns. Others have child seats that expand with the child until they are old enough to ride on the back. Some double strollers permit older siblings to join in on the fun by riding on the rider board.
There are a variety of double strollers on the market. You can pick from models with high-performance features that are great for rough terrain, as well as affordable options that you can use every day. While shopping, read reviews and recommendations of families like yours to get an idea of what to expect from the double stroller that you pick.
Double strollers are available in three different styles such as tandem, side-byside, and wagon-style. Billingsley states that side-byside strollers are the most flexible and ideal for twins as well as children of similar ages. Tandem double strollers on the other hand, have two seats that are arranged close to each other and facing in opposite directions. This is a good option for kids of the same age, or for siblings who enjoy interacting with each other. Tandem strollers can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and are less likely to fit through doorways than their side-byside counterparts.
Check out this top pick by Safety 1st if you prefer a wagon-style double stroller. This affordable model was praised by test participants for its many seating options. It can be used with two infant car seats, or one child in a convertible toddler chair. Our reviewers also praised the comfortable memory foam seats and the 50+ SPF canopy, and foam-filled tires that will never get flat. And when it's time for you to fold, this model requires only a few tugs on the straps on each seat (under where the kids sit) to fold it in half.